The Columbus Free Press

............. USDA proposal undermines integrity of organic agriculture

by Sean McGovern, Mar 2, 1998

The Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, Ohio's not-for-profit organic certification agency, recently released its review of the United States Department of Agriculture's proposed rules for a national organic standard. OEFFA, authorized by the Ohio Department of Agriculture to administer Ohio's organic certification program since 1989, issued a highly critical review of the proposals. Response from the national organic community to the USDA proposal has been overwhelmingly negative.

The OEFFA critique, which was developed through the input of Ohio's organic farmers, consumers, and retailers, targeted the following weaknesses in the proposed rule:

  • Possible allowance of genetically engineered organisms, municipal sewage sludge, and ionizing radiation in organic production systems.
  • Regressive "Organic Flat Tax" which penalizes the small farmer.
  • Weak livestock standards which fail to prohibit high density livestock confinement and liberal drug use, and permit non organic feed for organic livestock.
  • Failure to adhere to the National Organics Standards Board recommendations of allowable materials.
  • Free speech infringements for producers who choose to market products as hormone or pesticide free by prohibiting such labels.
The USDA proposal will be a major focus of OEFFA's upcoming conference, "Preserving Farmland, Practices and Policies." The conference, which will be held at Wilmington College on March 14 and 15, will feature speakers and workshops examining the proposal's affect on consumer confidence and profitability for Ohio's 200 organic farmers.

Grace Gershuny, a member of the National Organic Program, will address the content of the proposed rule, and dispel some popular myths surrounding the proposal. Mark Kastel, marketing consultant for the Coulee Region Organic Produce Pool, agrees with OEFFA's evaluation of the USDA proposal. "Organic farmers have been betrayed by the USDA," said Kastel. Gershuny and Kastel will present their unique perspectives at the March event.

OEFFA will collect public comment at the conference to present to the USDA as part of the proposal's comment period. "The current proposal represents the lowest common denominator of ecological agriculture," said Sylvia Upp, OEFFA's Certification Coordinator. "Concerned consumers and farmers must educate themselves and tell the USDA to strengthen the rule."

For conference registration information, contact OEFFA at 614-294-3663. Readers who send a SASE to OEFFA, PO Box 82234, Columbus OH 43202, or inquire by email will receive OEFFA's recommendations and information concerning comments on the proposed rules.

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